To request a translation service contactyour IBM? accountexecutive. Your account executive works with you to set up the servicea process that usually includes the creation of a data map. A datamap is a set of translation instructions showing the relationshipbetween the data elements or fields in one standard and the equivalentfields or elements in another standard. IBM works with you toset up and test a data map for each of the translation relationshipsyou require.

The following table lists some additional information about translatingeach type of format.

Data Format

Additional Information

EDI

Sterling B2B CollaborationNetwork cantranslate EDI data into different EDI standards into XML or intoa proprietary format. Sterling B2B CollaborationNetwork canalso convert between EDI and fax documents. For more informationsee EDI-to-Fax Conversion Service.

EDI data can be sent to your business partnersas an e-mail attachment. Sterling B2B CollaborationNetwork receivesthe e-mail document processes the EDI data contained in the attachmentand forwards it to the appropriate EDI address.

Companies thatuse EDI run an EDI translator application that creates the documentsthey want to exchange. Many customers who use Sterling B2B CollaborationNetwork purchasea Gentran product from IBM astheir EDI translator. For more information contact your account executive.

Flat file or Proprietary format

Sterling B2B CollaborationNetwork canprocess flat files or proprietary format files that use either fixed-lengthor variable-length records. Additionally the files can use layoutswith or without private interchange envelopes (PRH/PRT and XPH/XPTrecords).

Sterling B2B CollaborationNetwork cantranslate files into EDI into XML or into another proprietary formator flat-file layout. Sterling B2B CollaborationNetwork canalso convert between proprietary formats and fax documents. For moreinformation see EDI-to-Fax Conversion Service.

XML format

XML is a format for exchanging and processing business documentselectronically. Sterling B2B CollaborationNetwork cantranslate between XML and EDI or proprietary formats.